A very useful link for any portuguese coming to the Netherlands for study or work! http://oportugues.nl/

Dutch ways....

After 7 years in the Netherlands i was present in a first Dutch funeral! It was first of all a painful moment since the decease was an uncle from my wife. We went one hour before the ceremony to be with the rest of the family in this difficult moment. Afterwards the coffin was removed from the room where it had been for the past few days by the brothers and sons of the decease onto a special trolley. The coffin was placed on top of this trolley with wheels which made the transportation of the casket a much easier task. We then moved to another building, where all the family and friends could sit and listen to some words from a couple of family members. In between, we listened to a few of his favourite songs and we even had a couple of friends singing and playing a music that he was very fond of. Subsequently we moved to the final resting place. I must say that the cemetery itself looked very beautiful, peaceful and well-kept. It was full of trees, natural flowers, appearing in my eyes as the perfect resting place. After the final ceremony we then moved to another building where we had coffee, tea, soft drinks and cookies available. This was the place where all the friends could pay their respects to the direct family – wife, kids, and brothers and sisters. I have to say that I admire the way the Dutch handle their pain and grief….they suffer as we portuguese do with a love one’s death, but not in such a tragic manner as it happens in Portugal.

Wine tasting @ the Portuguese Ambassador's residence...

Last Monday i went to our ambassador residence in the Hague for a wine tasting event. Very well arranged, there were 17 Dutch wine importers showing off some of the Portuguese wine available in the Netherlands for purchase, so a taste was mandatory! After tasting a few good ones like the Zebro (biologic wine) and the Inquieto (Douro) i was served Bacalhau com Natas for lunch.....my day was complete! :) Cheers, Tiago

I'm back....

I'm back :) After 2 years i've decided to start once again writing a few lines about my adventures abroad! Enjoy! Cheers, Tiago

A beautiful day outside...

the dutch weather gave us some truce and today we have a beautiful day outside...i think i will go to the beach for a nice walk! Tot ziens

Comedy....the fuel that keeps me going.

Yesterday I went for the first to a comedy club here in the Netherlands. It's called BoomChicago and this show was simply 2 hours of pure improvisation and i honestly have to say that it was a great experience. The four performers on the stage were great. One of the most cool things was that Iris was picked up by on of the performers and she needed to tell him about something that she wasn't happy with, and she mention the fact that i wouldn't allow her to drive my car....from that point onwards they came with a very funny sketch where the female performer was even wearing a blond wig....great show! Definitely recommended.

@www.boomchicago.nl/

Lights out!!!

Driving back from Brugge this Saturday evening i've realized that Belgium has a great recipe to fight the economical crisis....Sócrates, pay attention...just switch OFF the lights on the highway!!!!